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Within the complex panorama for the industry due to the COVID-19, the airlines Qantas and KLM early withdrawal of their Boeing 747.
* Qantas and KLM press photos.
Given the global situation and the crisis that is looming for the airline industry, two of the world's leading airlines have made the decision, sad for aviation lovers, early retirement of their Boeing 747-400 of their fleets.
"The Queen of Heaven" as she is affectionately known. Boeing 747 in all its variants faces a future similar to that of the Airbus A380, an early retirement due to its high operating costs compared to new aircraft on the market such as the Boeing 787 O Airbus A350.
in modern aviation, operate four-engine aircraft 4 engines, generates high operating costs, both for maintenance, spare parts and fuel consumption, that can reach 30% of the operating values of a flight.
Before this panorama, airlines continue to migrate to modern aircraft of 2 engines that even now can carry the same number of passengers as a Boeing 747, but with considerably lower costs.
Qantas and KLM withdraw their Boeing 747
With projected dates until the beginning of 2021 to retire their last Boeing 747, the current situation of fewer and fewer flights in the world due to the closure of country borders or due to passenger distrust in flying, have forced these airlines to anticipate the withdrawal of these classic aircraft, to start reducing costs by thinking about the future and the contraction of the flights that will come during the 2020 and part of 2021.
Qantas
With date to withdraw the Boeing 747 by the end of this 2020, the airline made 28 march 2020 the last commercial flight of this aircraft as part of its fleet between Santiago de Chile and Sydney.
Its first aircraft that arrived at Qantas was the Boeing 747-238B model, registration VH-EBA, which began operating with the airline on 30 July 1971, since then they have passed 49 years of history of these aircraft in its fleet, having operated 60 B747 aircraft.
Until March the airline kept active in its fleet 5 boeing aircraft 747-400 with an average of 17 year old, but they won't fly again.
KLM
In the meantime, the Dutch kept in its plans as the withdrawal date of the Boeing 747-400 the 3 of January of 2021, but brought this event forward to 29 march 2020 with a flight between Mexico City and Amsterdam.
the first boeing 747-200 arrived at KLM in January 1971 with registration PH-BUA direct from the factory and since then they have also passed 49 years of four-engine operations with 36 Boeing family aircraft 747 who were part of the airline family.
By the end of March, KLM still had six Boeing 747-400 active and four parked, but operable with an average age of 21 years, now his destiny is to stay on earth forever.
The withdrawal of the Boeing 747-400 KLM passenger numbers do not include freighter versions that are operated by KLM Cargo – Martinair.
Have you ever flown in a Boeing 747?
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If I flew in the boing 747 of Aerolineas Argentinas in 1988. extraordinary ship. you couldn't see from the front until the last passenger in the back
Do you have any memories of that plane??
I have flown in 747 and the. A380 how sad the end of the greats of aviation.
The great icon of commercial aviation, it's a real shame to see them leave the stage…beautiful airship, undoubtedly as sad as the departure of the Concorde.
Pity, I was left wanting to fly in it.
It's never too late, there are still some flying.
The most Iconic Airplane manufactured by Boeing, as far as ships with a widened cabin and 2 floors unmatched , but it must already happen ah forced withdrawal due to many inconveniences
ride on 5 lax to sydney opportunities on Qantas 747 excellent airline and the service in economy class was super super super
What a pity, excellent planes and KLM excellent airline, thanks for such good services, we will miss you
The aviation, It has to do with optimizing your services, higher safety and lower costs. I will continue to enjoy KLM flights.
If once was a great trip full of emotion and suspense. It has been my only transatlantic trip
The 747 it was a great plane, super comfortable and safe. Long live the new generations
Beautiful plane very comfortable even better in business I have enjoyed transatlantic flights in KLM from Lima to Amsterdam despite so many hours.
imposing plane, here in Peru the combi arrived, con AIR FRANCE y KLM!, we will miss those powerful turbines, for more than 30 years watching them land and school at the INT’L Jorge Chávez AIRPORT, Lima – Peru
Those Boeings are a dick. There is nothing like the Airbus.
An excellent plane left and in addition to several airlines , the 747 he is the king of heaven
You are right the king of heaven neither more nor less
Worked for Qantas in Sydney .I am retired.a great plane and proud to travel the world in the 747.
Thanks for sharing Jose.!
Too bad for Qantas and their B747 . Also excellent service. For work I flew from LAX to Brisbane in 14h:30 minutes. Costs Affect Aviation.
every penny costs, sad to see them go.